Hey, Dads: Got Grill Skills? Show Them Off in the KFC Grillmaster Challenge for a Chance to Win a Ke

Hey, Dads: Got Grill Skills? Show Them Off in the KFC Grillmaster Challenge for a Chance to Win a Kentucky Grilled Chicken-Catered July 4 Family Picnic

Need a Day Off from the Grill? For a Limited Time, KFC Offers Special Summer Deals on Kentucky Grilled Chicken at Participating Restaurants

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As one of the stars of KFC's current TV commercial says, "There's something about a man who knows his way around a grill." Now, grillers can show off their skills for a chance to win prizes in KFC's 2013 Grillmaster Challenge Contest.

Louis the Grillmaster (Photo: Business Wire)

Five winners who have smoking hot skills behind the grill will enjoy a catered Kentucky Grilled Chicken® family picnic to celebrate July 4, as well as being inducted into the KFC Grillmaster Hall of Fame on KFC.com. The five expert grillers will also receive the Ultimate Grillmaster Accessory Kit, which includes a personalized apron and barbecue tools worthy of a Grillmaster.

"Father's Day is just around the corner and KFC wants to recognize those dads - or moms - whose Grillmaster skills make every summer barbecue the biggest event on the block," said Jason Marker, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC U.S. "We look forward to inducting five winners into our Grillmaster Hall of Fame and rewarding them with a fully catered Kentucky Grilled Chicken picnic to celebrate July 4. We're calling it 'Independence-from-the-Backyard-Grill Day.'"

For wannabe Grillmasters who need to take a break from the grill, KFC is featuring a Kentucky Grilled Chicken Deal for just $3.99 plus tax (for a limited time at participating locations). The meal includes two pieces of KFC's grilled chicken - freshly prepared and slow grilled to juicy perfection - one side item and a biscuit.

Also available is a 10-piece mixed bucket which includes six pieces of Kentucky Grilled Chicken and four pieces of KFC's wildly popular Original Recipe® Boneless for just $14.99 plus tax (for a limited time at participating locations).

KFC's TV commercial for Kentucky Grilled Chicken makes a star of "Louis," who dazzles attendees at his barbecue with the fall-off-the-bone taste of his grilled chicken. As a fan of Louis' chicken declares, "It's like he's some kind of Grillmaster." It is revealed that Louis is actually serving Kentucky Grilled Chicken - so good his guests think he grilled it.

The KFC Grillmaster Challenge kicks off Friday, June 14 and runs until Thursday, June 27. Prospective Grillmasters can send their "audition tapes" via Vine video or they can send photos via Twitter or Instagram. Entries should include the hashtag #KFCgrillmaster. Vine videos and Instagram photos can be shared via Twitter and winners will be contacted via direct message from @kfc_colonel, or KFC can reach wannabe Grillmasters via a Vine or Instagram comment.

Submissions can show off awesome grilling setups, share tips for grilling success, feature grillers' special techniques or show the end result of their grilling. The five grillers who display the hottest skills will be chosen as KFC Grillmasters. The contest is open to both men and women. Complete rules can be found at www.kfc.com/grillmaster.

Are You a Grillmaster? Study Say 70 Percent Think So

There is apparently no shortage of grill skills in the U.S., according to the 2012 State of the Barbecue Industry Report. The study, which is conducted every two years by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) revealed that the primary grillers in seven out of 10 households consider themselves to be "extremely proficient or better than average."

The study also revealed that the Fourth of July holiday is far and away the most popular grilling holiday, with 77 percent of Americans celebrating Independence Day by grilling, followed by Memorial Day (62 percent) and Labor Day (60 percent).

Nearly half (49 percent) of grill owners see their outdoor grilling area as a "functional cooking area" of their home, but 23 percent identify it as a place to rest and relax and 29 percent view it as an entertainment area.

The KFC "Summer 2013 Grill Master Challenge" Contest: No purchase necessary. Contest begins June 14, 2013 and ends June 27, 2013. Must be US resident, 18+ to enter. Subject to official rules: www.kfc.com/grillmaster. Void where prohibited.

About KFC

KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™, Kentucky Grilled Chicken®, Extra Crispy™ Strips and Original Recipe® Boneless, with home-style sides, Hot Wings™, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 17,000 KFC outlets in more than 115 countries and territories around the world. Each week, more than 13 million people visit a KFC restaurant in the United States. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYS: YUM.) For more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KFC) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/kfc_colonel).